By The Nation
Published on April 14, 2010
Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa (pictured) yesterday called on the ruling Democrat Party to decide soon on what to do about dissolution of the House of Representatives and constitutional amendment, describing it as the "last chance" for solving the worsening political crisis.
He also offered to phone fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to ask him to take part in talks with the government. Banharn said he needed "the green light" from the Democrats for him to act as a go-between.
Thaksin, now in self-imposed exile, is believed to have retained his influence over the leaders of the protesting red shirts and to be a major supporter of the ongoing anti-government protests.
Banharn, speaking in his home province of Suphan Buri, urged former Democrat leaders Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan to help Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban by getting involved in the efforts to solve the crisis.
'Abhisit in real trouble'
"I urge Chuan and Banyat to help Prime Minister Abhisit and Suthep. They are in real trouble now. A party meeting should be called urgently to determine what to do - when to dissolve the House and how to amend the Constitution," Banharn said, adding that Chuan and Banyat have much influence within the ruling party.
"They [the Democrats] have to make it clear [what they are going to do] and not just stay idle. The situation is getting worse every day and I can't say when there will be armed fighting again," he said.
The veteran politician pleaded for the Democrats to make a decision urgently, or he would not try to help them again.
"I won't talk to the other side now. I am speaking to the Democrats. I am not pressuring or threatening. I am just saying what should be done first. If they don't do anything, then neither will I. In a short period of time, I will fly overseas for a 15-day trip to England."
Banharn said he was in favour of House dissolution within six months and the six constitutional amendments proposed by a parliamentary committee. But he disagreed with the prime minister's idea of holding a public referendum on the proposed charter changes.
He said he did not think immediate House dissolution as demanded by the red shirts, or the PM's resignation as proposed by a group of academics, would help solve the political crisis.
Banharn said that despite calls for Chart Thai Pattana to withdraw from the coalition, it would remain with the Democrat-led bloc to help steer the government out of the political crisis.
He said the prime minister had not recently called him for any advice. He asked Abhisit to rely on advice from a wider group of people than merely a handful of his trusted aides, like Korbsak Sabhavasu and Sirichok Sopha.
'Follow my advice'
For Banharn, the violence during the military's anti-riot operation on Saturday was caused by armed men from a third party who fired at soldiers and protesters. The clashes led to 21 deaths, including four soldiers, and injuries numbering more than 800.
However, Banharn said the prime minister should follow his advice about how to deal with the political crisis, besides talking about an investigation into the incident and blaming the violence on "terrorists".
The ex-PM, whose Chart Thai Party was disbanded under a court order for electoral fraud in December 2008, is now chief adviser to Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa. Banharn was stripped of his electoral rights for five years as a result of his party's dissolution.
Chumpol yesterday urged Abhisit to call a Democrat Party meeting shortly to determine what to do about charter changes.
"It now depends on the Democrat Party, not the people. As long as they have no standpoint [on constitutional amendment], the Democrats will not be able to solve the problem," he said.
'PM not stepping down'
Meanwhile, Theptai Senpong, spokesman for the Democrat leader, yesterday dismissed a rumour that Abhisit was so disheartened that he was considering stepping down. He said the rumour was politically motivated.
"Abhisit is a democrat and he is ready to listen to viewpoints from all sides. But he will never bow to an evil force that breaks the law and tries to create anarchy in the country. He will not allow attempts by some groups of people who try to establish a new Thai state to change the country's political system," Theptai said.
Published on April 14, 2010
Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa (pictured) yesterday called on the ruling Democrat Party to decide soon on what to do about dissolution of the House of Representatives and constitutional amendment, describing it as the "last chance" for solving the worsening political crisis.
He also offered to phone fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to ask him to take part in talks with the government. Banharn said he needed "the green light" from the Democrats for him to act as a go-between.
Thaksin, now in self-imposed exile, is believed to have retained his influence over the leaders of the protesting red shirts and to be a major supporter of the ongoing anti-government protests.
Banharn, speaking in his home province of Suphan Buri, urged former Democrat leaders Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan to help Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Premier Suthep Thaugsuban by getting involved in the efforts to solve the crisis.
'Abhisit in real trouble'
"I urge Chuan and Banyat to help Prime Minister Abhisit and Suthep. They are in real trouble now. A party meeting should be called urgently to determine what to do - when to dissolve the House and how to amend the Constitution," Banharn said, adding that Chuan and Banyat have much influence within the ruling party.
"They [the Democrats] have to make it clear [what they are going to do] and not just stay idle. The situation is getting worse every day and I can't say when there will be armed fighting again," he said.
The veteran politician pleaded for the Democrats to make a decision urgently, or he would not try to help them again.
"I won't talk to the other side now. I am speaking to the Democrats. I am not pressuring or threatening. I am just saying what should be done first. If they don't do anything, then neither will I. In a short period of time, I will fly overseas for a 15-day trip to England."
Banharn said he was in favour of House dissolution within six months and the six constitutional amendments proposed by a parliamentary committee. But he disagreed with the prime minister's idea of holding a public referendum on the proposed charter changes.
He said he did not think immediate House dissolution as demanded by the red shirts, or the PM's resignation as proposed by a group of academics, would help solve the political crisis.
Banharn said that despite calls for Chart Thai Pattana to withdraw from the coalition, it would remain with the Democrat-led bloc to help steer the government out of the political crisis.
He said the prime minister had not recently called him for any advice. He asked Abhisit to rely on advice from a wider group of people than merely a handful of his trusted aides, like Korbsak Sabhavasu and Sirichok Sopha.
'Follow my advice'
For Banharn, the violence during the military's anti-riot operation on Saturday was caused by armed men from a third party who fired at soldiers and protesters. The clashes led to 21 deaths, including four soldiers, and injuries numbering more than 800.
However, Banharn said the prime minister should follow his advice about how to deal with the political crisis, besides talking about an investigation into the incident and blaming the violence on "terrorists".
The ex-PM, whose Chart Thai Party was disbanded under a court order for electoral fraud in December 2008, is now chief adviser to Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa. Banharn was stripped of his electoral rights for five years as a result of his party's dissolution.
Chumpol yesterday urged Abhisit to call a Democrat Party meeting shortly to determine what to do about charter changes.
"It now depends on the Democrat Party, not the people. As long as they have no standpoint [on constitutional amendment], the Democrats will not be able to solve the problem," he said.
'PM not stepping down'
Meanwhile, Theptai Senpong, spokesman for the Democrat leader, yesterday dismissed a rumour that Abhisit was so disheartened that he was considering stepping down. He said the rumour was politically motivated.
"Abhisit is a democrat and he is ready to listen to viewpoints from all sides. But he will never bow to an evil force that breaks the law and tries to create anarchy in the country. He will not allow attempts by some groups of people who try to establish a new Thai state to change the country's political system," Theptai said.
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